On average, you can expect your car tires to last anywhere between 50,000-60,000 miles. This depends on your driving skills and the manufacturer. Some design their tires to last over 80,000 miles while others just 30,000 miles. Check the tread wear rating to find out how long your tires can serve you.

That being said, there are some simple steps you can take that can help maximize the life of your car’s tires. Here are 10 you should consider:

1. Use the Right Tires for the Season

You need to make sure you switch to the right tires for the season. During summer months, you’ll need summer tires that are made of components that can offer grip on dry roads even when temperatures go above 45 degrees. During winter months, switch to winter tires with their deeper treads and special rubber compounds that provide better traction on ice, snow, and slushy roads. While all-season tires offer a reasonable compromise between the two, they may not provide enough grip for extreme weather conditions.

2. Maintain Tire Pressure

Under-inflated tires increase friction and heat when you drive, and it can significantly reduce the life of your tires. On the other hand, over-inflated tires cause the middle of the tread to wear faster than the edges, leading to an uneven surface. So, check your tire pressure regularly–ideally once a month–and adjust them accordingly. There’s a sticker on the driver-side door frame or in your owner’s manual that will tell you what the recommended pressure is. Make sure you’re looking at the right numbers–the pressure on the front and back tires may differ.

3. Rotate Your Tires Regularly

The front tires tend to wear out faster than the rear ones because they are the first to make contact with the road, especially during turns. Tire rotation is essential to even this wear. Regularly rotating your tires will ensure that all of them wear down evenly, extending their lifespan significantly. Most cars require tire rotations every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. The frequency will be different for each car, so check the manual.

4. Get Professional Alignments Twice a Year

Wheel alignment is one of the most important maintenance services you can do for your car. When your vehicle has a bad alignment, it affects tire wear in an extremely negative way. Poor alignment causes abnormal and accelerated wear on the tires, which reduces their lifespan. Have your tires aligned professionally, and the difference in wear will be obvious.

5. Avoid the Road Shoulders

Drivers who take the highway often try to avoid a pothole by veering onto the road shoulders. This is dangerous and damaging to your tires. Road shoulders are full of debris, sharp objects, and sometimes even mud or water. All of these elements can cause punctures or other damage to your tires that could lead to blowouts and tire failure. Sometimes using road shoulders is inevitable but try to limit them as much as possible.

6. Park in Shaded Areas

Tires are made from rubber and rubber does not withstand sun exposure for too long. The heat of the sun can damage the material, leading to dehydrated tires that could eventually crack. Therefore, it is important to park your car in shaded areas when possible or even use a tire cover if you have one available. Doing so will help keep the heat from affecting your tires, extending their life significantly.

7. Drive Safely and Steadily

It is important to always drive steadily and safely. Abrupt braking, acceleration, and cornering can heavily wear out the tires of your car. If you want your tires to last longer, be mindful of how you are driving, avoiding any sudden or jerky movements that could put too much strain on them.

8. Balance Your Wheels Regularly

Unbalanced wheels can cause certain parts of the tire to wear down faster, leading to a shorter lifespan for them overall. So be sure to have your wheels checked and balanced at regular intervals. This way, the tire’s treads will wear down evenly, allowing it to last longer.

9.  Don’t Mix and Match Tires

This is especially important if you are replacing a single tire. If you mix and match tires with different tread patterns, it can cause additional wear and tear on them, leading to a much shorter lifespan. So always make sure that the new tire has the same pattern as the existing one. Buy the same brand and model as well, if possible.

10. Store Spare Tires Properly

If you have spare tires, be sure to store them properly, away from sunlight and other environmental elements. Avoid your tires staying in contact with grease, gas, or other chemicals as these can cause irreparable damage. Make sure they’re clean and are stored in cool and dry places, such as a basement, garage, or shed.

Need Help With Your Tires; Reach Out to Eastern Shore Hyundai

At Eastern Shore Hyundai, we can help you out with any tire advice or assistance that you may need. Whether it’s getting new tires, repairing old ones, or changing the tread pattern to make them last longer, our highly-trained mechanics will be able to help you out. So don’t hesitate to reach out to us for any tire-related problems you may be having.